“Skyler’s one of those kids that he loves the game and plays all the time,” Gallegos said. “He’s a gym rat, he’ll be up here on Sundays if I let him.”

The 6-foot shooting guard exhibited his importance to the team Tuesday night at Lovington, as Partin hit a clutch go-ahead layup with less than 10 seconds left, that turned out to be the game winner. The Rams prevailed against Lovington in Portales’ district opener 74-71.

“It was nice to see the other night, him hit that winning basket,” Gallegos said.
Occasionally, a conflict arises between his two hobbies. This season, Skyler missed the Portales Basketball Shootout, occupied instead at a state band recital.”

“It’s tough (when we don’t have him),” Gallegos said. “And I guess that’s a compliment to him in a way because we need him on the floor. He’s a senior and he knows what’s going on.”

“I hated having to miss those games,” Partin said.

Between three hours a day practicing basketball, and practicing his instrument regularly for band recitals, Skyler’s free time is scarce, but he prefers it that way.

“It just gives me something else to do if I’m bored,” Partin said. “It’s hard, but I’d probably make the same choices if I had to do it all again.”